The Replacements: Week 11

The Way This Works...

Late-week injuries, suspensions, and unexpected coaching decisions with personnel can upend a fantasy lineup. 

We've developed this feature to provide you with resources to help navigate potential player losses and stay ahead in free-agent bidding wars by securing an early look at the future fantasy flavor of the week.

As the author of the most comprehensive scouting analysis of skill players since 2006, I'm one of those resources—especially for players at the bottom of depth charts, practice squad hopefuls, and even the occasional case of the guy training at home with dreams of that phone call from an NFL team.

Every week, I'll walk you through the shortlist of players who will get their shot to contribute as replacements for players falling victim to unexpected late-week events.

I won't be updating this piece over the weekend, but you'll get the goods on players worth consideration, and based on the past three years, this column has offered a lot of quality short-term and long-term options — many of them as preemptive picks.

This is a partial list, but you get the point.

We'll examine three types of replacements:

• Players who get immediate playing time.
• Preemptive additions from your league's waiver wire.
• Options worth monitoring in case the established backup eventually misses time.

Many of these players are late-round picks and street-free agents. I'm not giving you obvious waiver candidates that will command a large percentage of your FAAB dollars. These are options you'll often find in your First-Come, First-Served section during the latter part of the week before kickoff.

If you think street-free agents won't be factors, talk to Jordan Mason last year. James Robinson would like to tell you about his 2020 campaign. And Raheem Mostert has time on his hands if you need a deeper consultation.

Past Replacements

Here's a running list with brief thoughts. I update how I have them categorized as the season unfolds.

Add Now

• Davis Mills: The veteran QB's overall performance was mixed on film, but great for the fantasy box score. He had some rough sequences against the Jaguars, but also some spectacular throws to generate a comeback and the victory. The Texans are preparing Mills as if he will be the starter in Week 11. Monitor C.J. Stroud's health. 
• Rico Dowdle: Week 5's Add Now, Dowdle delivered two weeks of career-level marks that placed him in elite company. Dowdle is now the unquestioned starter. 
• Kyle Monangai: D'Andre Swift was playing well, and Monangai had a career-level game in his debut as Swift's replacement. He provides match-up value against bad defenses like the New York Giants in Week 10. He could become the David Montgomery to Swift's Jahmyr Gibbs in this year's scheme. 
• Kendrick Bourne: The other Add Now in Week 5, Bourne has been the primary receiver as a fantasy WR1. As long as one of Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings is out, Bourne offers fantasy value as a flex. If you're seeking PPR volume, route diversity, and the potential for a big play on a deep shot, Bourne gives you those opportunities. 
• Kimani Vidal: I suggested buying into Vidal with low expectations in case there may be another option signed off the street, but Vidal's strong outing against a weak Dolphins defense and subsequent work has made him the lead back until Omarion Hampton returns. 
• Christian Watson: Four weeks ago, I recommended Watson as a player to monitor. He's an add-now option who fits what the Packers have been missing from its offense. He's long, lean, strong, fast, and wins well after the catch and has moments of grace with the ball in the air. 
• Mason Taylor: With the Jets' potential of benching Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor over for now, consider Taylor a low-end starter because of Fields' penchant to check to the tight end in the passing game. 
• Tez Johnson: A preemptive recommendation in Week 7, Johnson scored on his only touch. He's a compelling big-play slot receiver with excellent YAC skills. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out, Johnson has been a startable piece. 
• Chimere Dike: For the consecutive weeks, Dike delivered viable production. A good athlete with the skill to win against contact and after the catch, Dike has delivered 11 catches on 12 targets for 163 yards and a score against New England and Indianapolis. 
• Parker Washington: A double-digit scorer in PPR in recent weeks, Washington is a physical option with YAC and return skills who has earned the trust of Trevor Lawrence. Consider him the de facto TE for this offense in the passing game's pecking order without Brenton Strange. Even with Jakobi Meyers traded to the Jaguars, Washington will be the slot receiver and remain a favorite target. 
• Kyle Williams: Recommended as a player to monitor in Week 10, Williams caught an over route and turned it up the boundary for a long touchdown. He'll get more opportunities in Week 11 against the Jets with Kayshon Boutte out.

Preemptive

• Luther Burden III: Considering Burden's ceiling, D.J. Moore's shoulder injuries, and Olamide Zaccheaus' three drops in Week 10, it's worth adding him to a good roster as a luxury pick or to a struggle roster as a high-upside option who can help you win down the stretch. 
• Devaughn Vele: He earned a catch for 15 yards in Week 10. He was the only receiver other than Chris  Olave to earn production in the game. Still hold out hope, but monitor if you didn't preemptively add him last week. 
• Tyler Lockett: Although he didn't generate points last week, Lockett earned a pair of red zone targets in the end zone. One was a wide-open look, but the Jaguars tipped Geno Smith's pass at the line. One week later, Jakobi Meyers is a Jaguar, and Lockett has a clear path to playing time as Meyers' likely replacement. He could cede significant playing time to Jack Bech (see this week's recommendations), especially with the Raiders being 2-3 losses away from being out of the playoff picture. For now, Lockett is the favorite for touches this weekend. 
• Jaylin Noel: He delivered as Christian Kirk's replacement. When called upon, Noel is startable because he has reliable hands, runs good underneath routes, and he has vertical explosiveness. Most importantly, C.J. Stroud trusts Noel. With Kirk back, Noel is a boom-bust flex, at best. 
• Pat Freiermuth: A preemptive suggestion in Week 8, Freiermuth didn't follow up on his huge performance against the Bengals in Week 7, but scored in Week 9. Unless there's an injury to the depth chart, Freiermuth's production will be infrequent and less predictable. Still, he's the only TE who seems to have a rapport with Aaron Rodgers when it comes to tight-window adjustments. 
• Bam Knight: Currently starting for the Cardinals, Knight is a good pass catcher with power. He's more of a straight-line runner than his backfield cohorts. 
• Emari Demercado: He's splitting touches with Bam Knight and generating enough production for flex consideration based on matchups. 
• Sean Tucker: A speedy cutback runner, consider Tucker a preemptive play with Bucky Irving out this week. The likely plan will be for Rachaad White to lead the way, but the staff likes Tucker and believes he has starter ability. If Tucker gets hot early, the Buccaneers could ride him for the duration of the game. 
• Isaiah Davis: Consider Davis a luxury-level preemptive addition who can deliver as a runner and receiver. He has the size to start for the Jets if Breece Hall gets hurt or gets traded -- the latter is becoming less likely. 
• Greg Dortch: A slot receiver with good YAC skills who has stints with quality PPR games. With Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones out, Dortch could factor this week.
• Devin Neal: Alvin Kamara's backup and working with a rookie quarterback. The Saints also added Audric Estime to the backfield. 

Monitor

• Malik Washington:  Tyreek Hill will miss this year and part of next year, and his career may be effectively over after dislocating his kneecap and tearing ligaments. Washington has been playing a bit part in the Dolphins' offense as a check-down extension of the ground game. If Washington shows the vertical prowess he displayed at Virginia, he'll become a hot property in fantasy football. So far, Miami has been too predictable with Washington's role to the detriment of the offense.  
• DeAndre Hopkins: I'll speculate on Hopkins getting more playing time because when he does, he's so proven as an instant producer. If Lamar Jackson's return doesn't lead to more playing time within another  1-2 weeks, I'll drop Hopkins out of consideration. 
• Brashard Smith: An inconsistent commodity in terms of usage, but he can offer big plays, and with Isaiah Pacheco week-to-week with a knee injury, Smith could be in line for more playing time. He's dealing with a toe injury right now, so Elijah Mitchell might also be in consideration. 
• Bhayshul Tuten: The rookie could see a huge increase in value if Etienne falters.
• KaVontae Turpin: A slot and return option who is back to fourth on the receiver depth chart with CeeDee Lamb healthy.
• Jack Bech: A special-teamer who might see more playing time with Jakobi Meyers gone, but Tyler Lockett is the favorite to earn the most from Meyer's absence. 
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling: A big-play speedster with inconsistent hands who has experience with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback. Expect him to earn playing time within the next 1-3 weeks.
• Gabe Davis: A big-play speedster with inconsistent hands who has experience with Josh Allen as his quarterback. Expect him to earn playing time within the next 2-4 weeks. 
• Luke McCaffrey: The second-year receiver's skills are a good mix of Terry McLaurin's and Noah Brown's. He can do a little bit of everything in the Commander's offense as the third option in this passing game. He has performed well enough to deliver some fantasy value.  
• Chris Moore: A longtime veteran with stints with a variety of teams, including the Texans, Cardinals, and Ravens. He's an excellent contested-catch option at the boundary, but he's not as promising with other man-to-man routes. More is at his best with zone coverage. Noah Brown is on IR, and Moore can help you if desperate. 
• Lil'Jordan Humphrey: A zone and jump-ball winner shut out against Denver, but worth extreme desperation consideration because of how he's targeted. With Jameis Winston starting, Humphrey could earn some contested opportunities for big plays. 
• Elijah Mitchell: Far from a guarantee that Mitchell will earn significant touches, if any at all, in the Chiefs offense, but Mitchell was a heralded free-agent signing this offseason who is getting healthy enough to contribute. If he earns playing time, he has the physical skill set to deliver strong production. He's worth a luxury stash. 

Ignore

• Jake Browning: The Joe Flacco trade makes Browning expendable. 
• Dillon Gabriel: The current rumor is that the Browns will start Shedeur Sanders for the final four games of the year. Gabriel isn't performing well enough to warrant a roster spot in most formats, as it is. 
• Kendre Miller: Out for the year with a knee injury.
• Trevor Etienne: With Chuba Hubbard back, Etienne will earn minimal touches, at best. 
• Gus Edwards:  Kimani Vidal has played well, the Chargers added Jaret Patterson, and Omarion Hampton is close to returning. 
• Cam Akers: Zavier Scott proved he could handle the big stage of the regular season, and it has made Akers expendable.
• Zavier Scott: A well-built back with perimeter rushing skills, size, and burst, Scott displaced Ty Chandler on the depth chart due to his special teams prowess. Aaron Jones Sr. is back, so Scott is not worth monitoring.
• Michael Carter: Listed as a preemptive addition in Week 5, Carter earned the starter volume that week and produced, but the Cardinals prefer Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. 
• Khalil Herbert: Signed to the Jets after New York lost Braelon Allen, he'll earn playing time if one of Breece Hall or Isaiah Davis gets hurt. Herbert is a proven runner with skills between the tackles and speed for big plays.
• Isaiah Bond: A recommendation to monitor a month ago, Bond has moments, but Dillon Gabriel and the Browns can't afford to have opposing defenses shut down the running game. You can read more about Bond (and Dillon Gabriel) in this Gut Check.  He's dangerously close to forgetting.
• Casey Washington: David Sills V has taken over the No. 3 role in Atlanta.

Week 11 Recommendations